The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-06-25
AN ADDRESS
To the Farmers Of Menongalia BY One
Of Their Number.

Farmers Of HoaoRgdiia and siste,
counties Of Vest Tirginid:
The question of organization is
now before you. Will you act? Cap
ital is organized for its own aggran-
dizement and likewise for your de
triment. Labor is organized FOR its
own protection. You must organize
also, or fight your battle for life at a
great disadvantage. Can you, who
represent both capital and labor,
longer afford to remain at home and,
like Macawber, wait for something
to turn up?" If YOU do, you viii
find your mistake perhaps when too
late for remedy
The question of how or in what
manner shall we organize is second
in Importance to the fact of organi-
tion. A fact that will serve notice
on all legislative bodies TO take
warning about what kind of legisla-
tion they attempt The farmer from
the very nature of his surroundings
has never made figure in politics
or legislative halls, but was content
with his rural home. Consequently
he has asked nothing and gotten a
great deal less. Others have organ
lied and asked and have generally
gotten at his expense.
With wealth enough TO keep him
comfortable without any labor, il
invested mother ways, he must now
toll from early morn till evening
stars appear a II hour man and 10
hour woman to get enough to live
on and pay his taxes
The case is a plain one; we must
organize or surrender. If we are
true to ourselves and rightly use the
means God has given us, we may
get some relief; but if we do not
work, and work at once, we shall be
kicked till none will be so poor as to
do us reverence Come then with
us to the rescue. Let us do or we
must suffer.
As to the plan of organization,
while some favor the Grange and
some the Institute, our voice is for
the Alliance or general organiza-
ton ranging from district clubs to
county and State, and even nation
al order, of husbandmen or farmers.
1t is not so important to improve
our methods Of production now as it
is to get something for what we do
produce, and to prevent such legis-
lation as builds up monopolies at
our expense. In favor of this view
we quote the Alton Enterprise.
The organization is gaining a
rapid foothold in the West, especial
ly in Iowa, and seems destined to
WELD powerful influence in the
future in favor of the farmers inter
ests.
1t was the Alliance that first made
the fight against bogus butter and
Alliance money that paid for the
scientific analysis that proved be-
You'd doubt the villainous character
of the compound.
1t was the alliance that created
the sentiment in favor of the national
regulation of railroads which has
become so powerful that Congress
dare not disregard it.
Below we give the objects of the
organization in concise form. The
objects of the State Alliance are and
shall be:
lst. To unite the farmers of the
State in bond of union for the pro.
lection and promotion of their own
interests both socially and in a finan
cial sense.
End. TO secure the enactment Of
laws to regulate and control th,
railroads of the State and to end
extortion and unjust discrimination
Bird. To secure the enactment OF
laws prohibiting the issuing of free
passes to public officials and others
4th. To secure the assessment OF
all kinds of taxable property cor.
porate and individual on an equal
basis, and the reduction of taxation
to the lowest limit consistent with a